MUMBAI: Henkel India Ltd. today announced it‘s much coveted, `Henkel Eco-petition‘, a national level paper presentation competition for schools on environmental issues. The annual contest, spear-headed by Henkel India since 2005 has received wide acclaim. This year "Henkel Eco-petition" will address Water Conservation, which is the need of the hour. Aptly themed "Hold your Blue Gold - My Innovative Strategy to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Water", the competition is open to school students. With participation covering over 500 schools across Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata school students of class X, XI and XII will stretch their minds and wield their pens to rescript the future of water . The children can voice out their concerns about environmental issues pertaining to the consumption, reuse and recycling of water.

"Water is a scarce resource worldwide. Four billion people do not have adequate access to drinking water supplies. Henkel‘s research and development teams worldwide are continuously working towards developing advanced technologies for resource-conserving use of water through constantly improved processes and product performance. By creating a heightened awareness and focusing young minds on this critical resource Henkel will be contributing towards sustainability in yet another innovative way," says Mr. Sam Chandar, Vice President - HR & Corporate Communication, Henkel India Limited.

In production, Henkel‘s mandate is to use as little water as possible, while cleaning and re-using existing supplies. In application, Henkel aims for its products to require as little water as possible, at the same time limiting their environmental impact. Henkel‘s detergents, household cleaners, cosmetics and toiletries, which end up in wastewater, are designed to have a minimal impact on surface waters. Also, in its detergents Henkel uses zeolites which makes possible the formulation of high-performance, low-cost, environmentally friendly detergents that are phosphate-free. In Karaikal, Henkel produces dishwashing detergents, glass cleaners and laundry detergents. Wastewater from production processes is treated using a new filtration system. Instead of simply discharging it, the reclaimed water is fed back into the production process. The wastewater from sanitation facilities is also treated and re-used. A specially developed treatment plant reduces the organic load in this wastewater, so that it can be used for cooling towers and to water the greenery, thus eliminating the need to use precious well water for this purpose. These treatment systems save at least eight percent water every year.

Participants in Henkel Eco-Petition 2008 will need to write a paper in not more than 2,500 words on the topic. The award carries a gift prize of Rs. 10,000/- for the first place, Rs. 7,500/- for the second place and Rs. 5,000/- for the third place along with attractive gift hampers too. In addition, the Principal or a nominated teacher from the winning school will be empanelled on "Henkel Eco-learn" a unique education project initiative.

According to Mr. A. Satish Kumar, MD, Henkel India Limited, "At Henkel our commitment to ecology and the environment is very high. Every step is taken by our company to reduce the amount of water used to produce our products, recycling water used for manufacturing processes so it can be returned safely to the environment, and replenishing water in communities and nature through locally relevant projects."

"Henkel Eco-petition" is aimed at educating, creating social awareness and enhancing sensitivity on environmental care in children from an early age. The over-whelming response and the enthusiasm shown by children keep us motivated to conduct this competition every year", adds Chandar.

The last date for the submission of entries is 2 August, 2008 and the entries will have to be sent to Henkel.Ecopetition@in.henkel.com.

MUMBAI: In its endeavor to further cement the clear leadership that it enjoys amongst the youth of Delhi as the radio station of choice, BIG 92.7 FM, India?s 1st and Delhi?s Only 100 Chartbuster Station, had Rabbi Shergill performing LIVE at the Delhi University Campus by introducing an innovative ?Coolest Fresher Kaun? contest. The Delhi University students had the time of their life, singing and dancing with the incredibly talented Rabbi Shergill and RJ Nitin hosting the show.

The contest has been conceptualized as a means to capture the excitement in colleges with the entry of a new batch of students. The ?Fresher? contest intends to create and provide a platform for all the freshers in colleges to showcase their talent to become the coolest fresher.

The ?Coolest Fresher? Contest commenced on July 25 in Delhi?s North and South Campus colleges. BIG?s evening Jock ? RJ Nitin who hosts ?Chal Kat Le? visited colleges and screened participants through various interesting rounds like talent, IQ and also conducted various screening in each college. RJ also visited the college campuses in a BIG Float and conducted the screening on the same along with live links. The call for entries commenced from 25 July and will continue till 2 August 08.

The initial rounds have 60 students short-listed in all based on the best performances. In the semi-final round six contestants will be shortlisted in an on-ground activity on 2 August?further two winners will be announced through sms voting. A mix of on-ground; on-air and web based contests will result in the selection of the ?Coolest Male & Female Fresher? of Delhi University. It can?t get bigger than this, Winners- 1 Boy and 1 Girl will get co-Rjing opportunity and many more grand prizes. The contest will have three phases of screening which started with the call for entries from 25 July and will continue till 2 August, to voting sms 3 ? 8 August, with a grand culmination by celebrity judges announcing the winner.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Punit Mathur - Station Director, BIG 92.7 FM, Delhi said, ?BIG 92.7 FM being Delhi?s Cool, Hip and Trendy station which plays the Rocking top 100 Chartbuster Music has more connect with the youth. And hence to take this relation to a higher lever, we are introducing the ?Coolest Fresher Kaun? Contest in association with Double Mint Aqua Splash Chewing Gum?showering our listeners with a fun-filled, cool yet competitive Fresher Contest. We as Delhi?s coolest radio station will provide a true ?Life Banao? opportunity for the youth of this city.?

MUMBAI: CNN examines the lives of the two men contending to be the 44th president of the United States in two upcoming documentaries, launching CNN Worldwide?s extensive political convention coverage. Both hour-long documentaries premiere the weekend before the candidates? respective convention kicks off.

?The public rarely gets an opportunity to see the presidential candidates away from the glare of the cameras, the crowds and the structured events,? said Katherine Green, senior vice president of CNN International. ?These documentaries offer a real insight into the lives of the candidates and those around them.?

White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux looks at Senator Barack Obama in an hour-long report that premieres on CNN International on Saturday, August 23. Malveaux has been covering extensively the Obama presidential campaign, including traveling to Hawaii, where she?ll report on the senator?s early years. She has interviewed the candidate, his wife and his sister.

Chief national correspondent John King?s report on Senator John McCain premieres Saturday, August 30. Reporting from Arizona, Washington, D.C. and Vietnam, King reveals McCain?s complexities and analyzes the political challenges that lay before him in the most important campaign of his life.

MUMBAI: PR company Corporate Voice|Weber Shandwick, has announced the appointment of Nazneen Barodawala as the GM of the company?s Mumbai operations.

Barodawala has been associated with the company since January 2001 and has been instrumental in the execution of several successful campaigns for clients across industry sectors.

Corporate Voice|Weber Shandwick CEO Shiv Reddy says, ?Nazneen has been a key manager for us since 2001, has done great work for her clients, is an energetic leader, and a great people manager. She has all the right credentials to lead.

?She is an outstanding communications professional whose rich experience and expertise has given our integrated communications campaigns remarkable business results. Her astute skill in strategy development, training sessions, business developments, operations and resource management makes her the undisputed choice for the coveted role.

Barodawala said, ?I am truly delighted at this opportunity in such a dynamically growing region. This new role and position comes at a time when we at Corporate Voice|Weber Shandwick have been growing rapidly. Our market-by-market understanding of the cultural, commercial, political and media environment, matched with unrivalled expertise from Weber Shandwick?s worldwide network, ensures that we remain competitive in both our local markets and on a global scale.

Nazneen says, ?It is exciting times for the PR profession in India and I am really happy to be part of the industry which is growing leaps and bounds. I hope to leverage my past experience in different set-ups to establish and grow Corporate Voice|Weber Shandwick?s business further?.